If you didn’t watch Thursday’s pre-event press conference for MotoGP at Jerez, it is worth a viewing right to the end (assuming you have a MotoGP.com account). Building off the news about the NBA’s Jason Collins coming out as gay in a self-written feature in Sport Illustrated, my good colleague David Emmett had the courage to inquire about the culture and acceptance of the MotoGP paddock for homosexual riders.

I will let David write in his own words the mood and response to the evening’s press conference, as well as address the comments, criticisms, and opinions put forth later on Twitter by members of the paddock, when learning about the event. For the sake of accuracy though, after the jump is a full transcript of David’s question, as put to riders Cal Crutchlow, Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso, Stefan Bradl, and Scott Redding, as well as those riders’ responses to David’s inquiry.

David Emmett: “This is a question for everyone — it is quite a difficult question. Last week Jason Collins, an NBA player, admitted he was homosexual. Now there have been are no openly homosexual MotoGP riders. I want to hear your thoughts on why that is not the case. Are people afraid of coming out as gay, or are you all just more really interested in women?”

<laughter from the crowd>

Cal Crutchlow: “Should I go first?!”

David Emmett: “Yes please!”

<more laughter>

Cal Crutchlow: “Sorry David, I’m off bounds — I’m nearly married. That’s all I have to say…I don’t know. I don’t think it matters, you know? I think this sport is about racing motorcycles. It’s never came out that anybody is gay. But maybe there are some, just hidden in the closet, I don’t know. Maybe I’m sat with one of them. I don’t know.”

Jorge Lorenzo: “For the people who ask me on Twitter, or whatever, if I am gay this is the time that they will know I’m not gay. I respect the gay people. Of course, there is no problem.”

David Emmett: “Anyone else?”

Nick Harris: “Marc Marquez?”

<more laughter>

Marc Marquez: “I think it’s not a problem. I have great respect for everybody, and everybody from a different personalities. Not a problem.”

Andrea Dovisioso: “I never thought about that, that some riders can be gay, but I think for everybody it would be not a problem. But, it is difficult to think. I don’t know why.”

Stefan Bradl: “Maybe if it makes faster we will think about it…”

<laughter from the entire room>

Stefan Bradl: “But so far I don’t have the experience. I’m not gay also. But for sure I respect the guys that are gay. They are also normal person.”

Scott Redding: “Yeah, same for me. I’ve been with a girlfriend for a long time now, and not really thought of going the other way so. Again, respect to everyone, and it is what it is.”

Well that clears up that. Lol not that it ever mattered to me. what a rider does off the bike is his personal Business, but if he or she wants to come out and tell the world what their sexual preference is then more power to them. if the rider I support is Gay well then it is what it is and I will still support him or her…

Earl Shives

Yeah Minibull, I was a foot taller than Jorge when I met him. I thought Crutchlow to be a bigger fellow. Seems they’re all imps!

meatspin

motogp lists reddings height as just a bit over 6 feet so he is taller than average. Most of them are not very big people.

meatspin

easy to say it doesnt matter, but sponsors might think otherwise.

Coming out for collins was important to him even though it might seem like such a trivial thing to a lot of people. It will be interesting to see if it affects his relationship with his team, organization and any future contracts he may have. He’s already had a long career already so to come out now is probably a lot easier than if he was just starting out.

76

Scott Redding gives me hope!

smiler

More application of apparent American liberal thinking and actual prejudice and narrow-minded culture makes it to a completely irrelevant subject in another international sport. Well done USA. Is this why Americans say things like fag, suck and suck my dick as insults?

You know David Emmett lives in Holland and was born in England, right?

Gutterslob

Gotta love Bradl’s reply. Always seeking performance.

Big D

I wonder if being that tall would help or hurt Redding in MotoGP.

Damo

@smiler

No idea where your train of thought just came from. You are so far off base, I don’t know where to start.

TRL

That was a silly question. There are no gay Latin men, just ask ’em the’ll tell you.

Mike

@smiler There clearly IS some prejudice and narrow-mindedness on this page, and it’s all from you.

Westward

I find it more interesting that it’s the German that is willing to explore the performance aspect of the situation. Which leads me further to believe the Ducati is in good hands. The Germans will explore any aspect in order to win…

If a guy can win, and have personality, I seriously doubt being gay would matter. However, if person is gay, losing, and has a bad attitude, being gay could be a detriment…

proudAmerican

The question was awkward, but the guys handled it well. At least they weren’t asked about their religion, political affiliation, or opinions on abortion. None of it matters. Just go race.

@ Big D

At his height, I think Redding can probably view the entire racetrack from the seat of his bike!! :-))

Cpt.Slow

Irrelevant topic…

Great response by Bradl

Smiler got owned, lol

hoyt

@Cpt. Slow – that was great.

RJJR

Reddings height is a detriment, mostly because of the weight it brings, and that is a more pertinent topic as far as racing is concerned. Bradl probably won over any potential gay targeted sponsors, and more money does make you faster, so…

Clay

I would have been pissed if I was Marquez…the way the guy asked if there was anybody else with a view on the topic, and then another reporter blurts out ‘Marc Marquez…??” as if insinuating that he is gay…

Iron

@Clay

Nick Harris is not a reporter, he’s the guy who runs the press conferences (among other things he does during a race weekend). He was directing the question to Marquez next, as is customary when a question is asked of all the riders, and not insinuating anything.

hodgmo

So let me get this right. No rider ever said he was gay or ever said it was an issue of any kind, correct? But this reporter has to go for the “let’s interject the gay issue into MotoGP” even if, as far as we know, it does not even exist. Sounds like news sensationalism or propaganda to me.